PhD In Nursing

PhD in Nursing is a higher level degree of nursing education that is basically done after the completion of M.Phil. in Nursing or M.Sc. in Nursing. This course of study is fully based on research works. There are different course duration for those who have completed M.Sc. in Nursing and M.Phil in Nursing. The Maters in Nursing graduates have to go through three to five years for the completion of PhD whereas for the M.Phil. in Nursing degree holders they only have to study for one and a half to three years. This Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing course helps the students to obtain and analyze their knowledge and skills from different approaches. Students who get enrolled in PhD in Nursing degree shape their intelligence to ascertain the health and nursing field through different methodologies than other people related to this field.

The major role of this course is to develop the leadership quality of the nurses to the finest level to build them as an expertise. After the nurses conclude their PhD level, they are recognized as a specialist in the area of study of nursing. All the academic, analytical or practical education that the nurses gain while studying this course will make them more capable of discovering different aspects of nursing science and healthcare. They can prescribe many innovative ideas and plans for the improvement of health sectors by forming a team. They can get hold of the more high position in the healthcare area they are working in or can also enter into the academic sector as educators of various institutions or clinical settings.

The PhD Degree students have to go through major research projects and submit the thesis papers. All the courses in this degree enhance the analytical skills of the students to solve the health problems in society, economic field and political field throughout the nation. They become independent and proficient in identifying their roles towards the health community by knowing the positive affects of the health sector for the overall growth of the state. There are three major papers that the students study like Nursing Leadership in Health Care Delivery System, Philosophy of Nursing Science and Theoretical Perspectives and Nursing Theories and Theory development. Under these areas of studies, there are various other theories and researchers.

Eligibility Criteria

There are some eligibility criteria for all those who wish to peruse a higher-level degree such as PhD in nursing. The conditions that the institutions develop to select the candidates are usually similar. No any candidates will be selected for the further process if the following matters don’t match:

  • Good writing, reading and speaking skills in the English language
  • Sound knowledge in research work
  • Should be medically fit
  • Prestigious career background
Educational Qualifications

This is the most important and essential criterion that a candidate must comprise to have the fortune to be a PhD in Nursing student. Candidate cannot be selected by a university if s/he doesn’t meet the educational qualifications that certain nursing institutions accept. Some of them are:

  • Good academic record in B.Sc. Nursing and M.Sc. Nursing or M.Phil (if done)
  • Completed previous degree from reputed university
  • Minimum five years of work experience for M.Sc. nursing graduates
Admission process

The last step prior getting enrolled in the University for the PhD degree for a candidate is getting through the admission process. There are numbers of approvals and documents that are needed to be shown. The rules and regulations of the admission also vary from one nursing institution to another.

  • Fill the required application forms with documents
  • Give the entrance exam if necessary
  • Letter of recommendation (if asked by the institution)
  • Proper research proposal (for better chance to get selected)
  • Letter of motivation (to depict your determination to complete the project)
  • Present updates resume if asked
  • Passport size photographs for forms and different other uses
  • All the details documents related to prior study
  • Fees payment after the clearance of entrance exam
Course Syllabus
I. Nursing Leadership in Health Care delivery system
  • Current health issues and policies
  • Nursing Leadership
  • Nursing Informatics
II. Philosophy of Nursing Science and Theoretical Perspectives
  • Philosophy of nursing science
  • Nursing theoretical perspectives
III. Nursing Theories and Theory Development
  • Epistemology
  • Overview of theory in nursing
  • Overview of nursing theories
  • Analysis of Nursing theories & evaluation of nursing theories
  • Nursing theory and practice
  • Nursing theory and research
  • Interrelationships between science, theory, practice and research in Nursing
IV. Research Methodology and Applied Statistics
  • Introduction
  • Research process overview
  • Review of related literature Need purpose and sources
  • Research approaches and designs
  • Data collection procedures, analysis & interpretation and data management
  • Ethical considerations in Nursing Research
  • Qualitative and quantitative analysis
  • Communicating research findings
Further Studies

The PhD is a doctorate degree which is said to be the highest degree of all. Many people who are interested to gain more knowledge also do a post-doctoral degree. It is simply a research-based qualification course which does not have any fix duration of course. Basically, after the completion of the PhD course, the graduates concentrate in their career upliftment rather than getting into next higher degree or doing a different course. The PhD degree holders are the highest scholars who are regarded as the expertise of their field.

Career Prospects

The candidates who are willing to continue a PhD Nursing degree usually have many years of knowledge before getting into this course. After the candidate completes this course, they are considered to be more eligible in the sector they are working and get more chances of promotion. Some of the fields where PhD in Nursing degree holder can work are:

  • Hospitals
  • Clinics
  • Schools or University
  • Nursing homes
  • Old Age Homes
  • Orphanages
  • Military
  • Health Departments
  • Corporate or Industrial Houses and many more
Job Opportunities

Numerous job opportunities arrive in the path of a PhD degree holder right after the completion of the course. The graduate can also get the proposal for new jobs in the higher position that s/he is holding now. The job position will surely be upgraded and the graduates can work in the top level being a senior.

  • Nursing professor or lecturer
  • Nursing Researcher
  • Senior Nurse
  • Senior Army Nurse
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Nursing instructor
PhD in Nursing college in Bangalore

Some of the colleges that offer PhD course in Bangalore are:

  • Manipal College of Nursing
  • National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences
Related Articles: M.Sc. in Nursing (MSN), M.Phil. in Nursing (MPN)